The Egyptian Book of the Dead was known to Egyptians as The Book of Coming Forth by Day or Spells for Going Forth by Day. It was a collection of chapters made up of magic spells and formulas intended to help the deceased find and navigate the afterlife. The most popular spell of the Book of the Dead was Spell 125. Spell 125 described the judgement of the heart of the deceased in the Hall of Truth and advised the deceased on what should be said when facing the gods. However, other incredibly specific information was required, including knowledge of the different gods’ names and their responsibilities, the names of the doors in the room and the floor the deceased had to walk on, as well as the names of one’s own feet. The spell ended with advice as to what the soul should be wearing when it met the judgement of the gods and the way that the spell should be recited. If all went well and the deceased person’s heart was lighter than the Feather of Truth, they would be allowed to enjoy eternal paradise, where they would be reconnected with loved ones and even pets.
The ancient Egyptians believed that amulets had magical powers of protection and brought good fortune to their wearers. They wore amulets around their neck, wrists, fingers, and ankles from a very young age. However, amulets were as important in death as they were in life.